Lt. Col. Herbie C. Tillett, 91

Published 9:02 am Monday, May 6, 2024

Lt. Col. Herbie C. Tillett, age 91, of Stanford, Kentucky, passed away Friday, May 3, 2024. Born Monday, December 26, 1932, in Lincoln County, Kentucky, he was the son of the late James Herbert & Annabelle Crawford Tillett. His loving wife is Barbara Jean Gilliam Tillett of Stanford, whom he married on Tuesday, December 26, 1989. Herbie retired, after 28 years of service, from the U.S. Air Force. Herbie earned the rank of Lt. Col. and served as a Commercial Pilot, flying over 23,000 hours in 14 types of military aircraft for over 15 years. Herbie was also a member of Stanford Baptist Church. In addition to his wife, Herbie leaves behind one son, Billy D. Tillett of California; one daughter, Catherine Tillett Stewart of Stanford; one step-son, Freddie VonLinger (Helen Allen) of Lancaster, Kentucky; one step-daughter, Cassandra Bottoms (Morgan) of Stanford; four grandchildren, Rachel Stewart Blanding (Maurice) of Georgia, Amber Schell Higgins (Teddy) of Virginia, Brenna Schell Perez (Vicente) of Louisville, Kentucky, and Derek Tillett of California; three step-granddaughters, Carissa Wardrip of Stanford, Melissa Delaney of Casey County, Kentucky, and Jessica Moore of Stanford; 12 great-grandchildren, Emma and Jake England, Rebekah, Teddy III, Pryce, and Preston Higgins, Hannah Leonard, Brennan, Aiden, and Leah Hart, and Marley and Reece Blanding; nine step great-grandchildren, Melissa, Vicente Jr., and Anthony Perez, Davis Wardrip, Chase and Dakota Delaney, and Cheyenne and Kamron Moore; five sisters, Rosemary T. DeBorde of West Chester, Ohio, Freida T. Gooch (Gerald) of Lincoln County, Clydene T. Sluder (Curtis) of Stanford, Agnes T. Peavyhouse (Gary) of Lincoln County, and Leota T. Padgett of Waynesburg, Kentucky; and numerous other extended family members and friends who mourn his passing. In addition to his parents, Herbie was preceded in death by one son, Mark Tillett; one daughter, Holly Tillett Schell Bensel; and one sister, Alma Tillett. A Public Visitation will be held 11AM-1PM Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Fox & Friend Funeral Home. A Public Funeral Service will be held 1:00PM Thursday, at the funeral home. Bro. Pete Gilliam will officiate the service. The Funeral Service will be livestreamed on Herbie’s memorial page of the funeral home’s website. A Graveside Service, with Full Military Honors, will take place 2:30PM Thursday, at Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville, Kentucky. Memorial Contributions suggested to a charity of one’s choice. Fox & Friend Funeral Home, Stanford, is entrusted with Herbie’s arrangements. Guest Book at www.friendfuneralhomes.com.